Backpack frame convertible to an adjustable mattress supporting cot with a tent supporting structure

ABSTRACT

A backpack frame convertible to a mattress supporting cot with a tent supporting structure includes telescoping tubular frame members which may alternate between a compact position defining a backpack frame configuration and an extended position defining a normally substantially horizontally disposed adjustable cot configuration having opposing hollow side members. Each hollow side member has an open end, and the respective open ends are positioned diagonally opposite each other. When disposed in a cot configuration, the cot is supported by a plurality of support members mounted on each side member. A tent support assembly is storable in each hollow side member and extendible from the respective side member open ends to define an obliquely disposed extendible strut.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to camping equipment and moreparticularly to a new and improved backpack frame which is convertibleto an adjustable camp cot having a vertically extendible structure forsupporting a tent.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Various types of backpack frames which can be converted into acot frame or a combination cot and tent frame are well known in the art.Generally, such prior art convertible backpacks have provenunsatisfactory because they are too flimsy to support any substantialweight as a sleeping cot, too heavy to be readily transportable as abackpack, uncomfortable when used either as a backpack or a sleepingcot, and too complicated and expensive to make and use.

[0005] There is a current need to provide a backpack frame which can beconverted to a combination sleeping cot and tent supporting frame thatcan be comfortably carried on the back as a backpack, can be easily andquickly converted to a sleeping cot having an adjustably taut, levelsleeping surface which is sufficiently long and wide to accommodate anadult comfortably, and which is formed as a unit composed of connectedparts, while retaining the simplicity and cost associated with thedesign and manufacture of such convertible backpack frames within thesame range as presently experienced with prior art convertible backpackframes.

[0006] While prior art convertible backpack frames are disclosed, forexample, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,158,299; 3,620,428; 3,619,827; 3,757,360;3,828,992; 3,846,855; 3,912,138; 3,971,495; 5,056,857; 4,511,071;4,885,812; 4,914,768; 4,947,498; and 5,489.052, none of the convertiblebackpack frames of the types disclosed except U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,052addresses this need.

[0007] The present invention, like U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,052, provides aunitary backpack frame which is formed as a unit composed of connectedparts that can be converted to a combination sleeping cot and tentsupporting frame, which can be comfortably carried on the back as abackpack, and which can be easily and quickly converted to a sleepingcot having a taut, level sleeping surface of sufficient length and widthto comfortably accommodate an adult. In addition, the present inventionprovides a greater ratio of extension, a means for adjusting cottautness, a means for vertically extending the tent support, all ofwhich are accomplished with fewer moving parts than the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The general purpose of the present invention, which will bedescribed in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved backpackframe which is convertible to a camp cot having a structure forsupporting a tent that has all, and more, of the advantages of the priorart and none of the disadvantages.

[0009] To attain this purpose, representative embodiments of the presentinvention are illustrated in the drawings. The convertible backpackframe of the present invention makes use of a unitary frame which isformed as a unit composed of connected parts. The frame sectionstelescope between a compact position defining a backpack frameconfiguration and an extended position defining a cot configuration withopposing hollow side members. Each of the hollow side members has anopen end, and the respective hollow side member open ends are disposeddiagonally opposite each other. The side members are also each providedwith a plurality of support members.

[0010] A tent support assembly is storable in each hollow side member asa connected part of the unit. Each of the tent support assemblies isextendible from a respective side member open end to define an obliquelydisposed strut. Each tent support assembly also includes a strut supportslideably retained in the respective hollow side members, and each strutis extendible.

[0011] The strut supports are each provided with a slotted hole, andeach strut includes a strut connector portion which is pivotable on apivot pin slidable in the respective strut support slotted holes. Thestruts are each pivotable on the respective slidable pivot pins betweenthe obliquely disposed strut position and a substantially horizontallydisposed position. In the horizontally disposed position, the struts arereceivable in the respective hollow side members

[0012] The frame forming the unitary frame of the present inventionincludes telescoping side members and telescoping cross members. Theside members are locked in the extended or collapsed position by meansof pin connectors, while the cross members telescope part way and screwtogether to provide a means of adjusting the tautness of the cotmattress.

[0013] Each leg provided on the respective side members is rigidlyaffixed to said side member. Legs may also include threaded levelers foradjusting the vertical height to level the cot. Additionally, a foldabletent cover may be provided which can inclose the extended frame.

[0014] This outline focuses on the more important features of theinvention in order that a detailed description which follows may bebetter understood and in order that the present contribution to the artmay be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features ofthe invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto. It is to be understoodthat the invention is not limited in its application to the details ofthe construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth inthe following description and drawings. The invention is capable ofother embodiments and of being practiced and being carried out invarious ways.

[0015] It is to be further understood that the phraseology andterminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and arenot to be regarded as limiting. Those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily beutilized as a basis for designing the structures, methods and systemsfor carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. Theclaims are regarded as including such equivalent constructions so longas they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

[0016] From the foregoing summary, it is apparent that an object of thepresent invention is to provide a new and improved backpack frame whichis convertible to a camp cot having a structure for supporting a tentwhich has all the advantages, and more, of prior art convertiblebackpack frames and none of the disadvantages.

[0017] It is another object of the present invention to provide a newand improved design for a convertible backpack frame which is morereliable and functional than those presently available.

[0018] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide aconvertible backpack frame which is sturdy and capable of supportingsubstantial weight when used as a sleeping cot, while at the same timebeing light weight and easily transportable as a backpack frame.

[0019] Still another object of the present invention is to provide aconvertible backpack frame which conforms comfortably to the shape of aperson's back when collapsed into a compact position for use as abackpack, yet can be extended and expanded laterally for use as asleeping cot to accommodate a full grown adult comfortably.

[0020] A further object of the present invention is to provide aconvertible backpack frame which is formed as a unit of connected partswhich cannot be misplaced or lost.

[0021] These, together with other objects of the present invention,along with the various features of novelty which characterize theinvention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed toand forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of theinvention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attainedby its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings inwhich like characters of reference designate like parts throughout theseveral views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The invention will be better understood and objects other thanthose set forth above will become apparent when consideration is givento the following detailed description. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

[0023]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the convertible backpack frame ofthe present invention in a compact position defining a backpack frame.

[0024]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the convertible backpack frame ofthe present invention in an extended position defining a cot frame.

[0025]FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the horizontal portion of thecross members of the convertible backpack frame shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0026]FIG. 4 is an end elevation view of the mattress.

[0027]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the convertible backpack frame ofthe present invention in the extended position defining a cot frame andtent support configuration.

[0028]FIG. 6 is elevation views of the tent support.

[0029]FIG. 7 is elevation views of the strut stop.

[0030]FIG. 8 is elevation views of the strut connector.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0031] Referring now to the drawings, and specifically to FIG. 1, theconvertible backpack frame shown generally as 2 includes telescopingside members 4 and telescoping cross members 6 which have a compactposition defining a backpack frame configuration as shown in FIG. 1 andan extended position defining a sleeping cot configuration as shown inFIG. 2.

[0032] Both side members 4 include a center side member 8, a small endside member 7, a large end side member 9, and two pin connectors 3. Twopin connectors 3 are attached to the outside of the center side member 8and the pin portion of the connector is inserted to hold the sidemembers in place or withdrawn to allow the side members to telescope toanother position. Both the small end side member 7 and the large endside member 8 have two holes to receive the pin connectors 3. One holeis for the compact position and the other hole is for the extendedposition. In the compact position the large end side member 9 is seatedinside the center side member 8 and the small end side member 7 isseated inside the large end side member 9.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 2, each cross member 6 includes two legs 12,two braces 14, one left threaded tube 13, one right threaded tube 10,and one adjusting tube 11. The legs 12 are threaded internally toaccommodate levelers. Each leg 12 and its associated brace 14 areconnected to their associated threaded tube 10 or 13 to form a rigidtriangle, and this triangle is rigidly connected to the side member 4.FIG. 3 shows details of the right threaded tube 10, the adjusting tube11, and the left threaded tube 13. In the compact position, the rightthreaded tube 10 telescopes inside the left threaded tube 13 and theadjusting tube 11 telescopes in side both the left and right threadedtubes 10, 13. To extend the cross member, the left and right threadedtubes 10, 13 are slid apart until they encounter the threaded portionsof the adjusting member 11. The adjusting member 11 is then rotated toengage the threads of both threaded tubes 10, 13.

[0034] Referring again to FIG. 2. the levelers 24 are threaded into thelegs 12 to allow adjustment for uneven terrain. Each leveler has a pad26 at the bottom to protect the tent floor.

[0035] The mattress 27 detailed in FIG. 4 is fabric of sufficientstrength to support a person of average weight and is secured to theside members by means of Velcro or similar product. Hooks 29 are sewninto the fabric at intervals to hold the fabric in place while the wrap30 is used to secure the mattress 27 to the side member 4. Once themattress 27 is secure it is made taut by additional rotations of theadjusting tube 11.

[0036] A tent support assembly shown generally as 19 in FIG. 5 isstorable in each small end side member 7. Tent support assemblies 19 areeach extendible from respective small end side member to define anobliquely disposed strut 15 complete with an extension 17 thattelescopes from said strut. Tent support assemblies 19 also each includea strut support 22, FIG. 6, slideably retained in each of small end sidemembers 7 and a strut stop 20 that controls how far the strut support 22may protrude from the small end side member and also controls the angleof the strut support 22 when it protrudes the maximum allowed length.Finally each tent support assembly includes a strut connector 24 whichis shown in FIG. 8. The strut connector 24 is a continuation of strut15. A pin (not shown, but obvious) passes through the slots of the strutconnector 24 and the strut support 22 so that the two pieces may pivotand slide within the limits of the slots. To extend the tent supportassembly 19 the strut 15 is pull straight out of the small end sidemember 7 until the strut support 22 is fully seated in the strut stop24. Then the strut is pivoted until it is perpendicular to the small endside member then it is slid down so the strut connector 24 spans the endof the small end side member 7. The close tolerances of these pieceshold the strut connector 24 snugly against the end of the small end sidemember 7. Finally the extension 17 is telescoped out and held in placewith pin connector 3.

[0037] The tent may be made with any number of appropriate fabrics suchas nylon. It preferably has a waterproof floor. It must have zippersthat provide sufficient opening to receive a fully extended frame. Itpreferably has convenient doors to protect against insects whileallowing or preventing ventilation.

[0038] The entire convertible backpack frame of the present invention isformed of a unit composed of connected parts.

[0039] Obviously, any number of materials may be used to form thebackpack frame and its components described herein, and exceptionalsuccess has been experienced by the use of aluminum and rigid plasticmaterial, although other materials may be utilized, any light weightsheet material such as nylon or canvas may be used for the tent coverand mattress.

[0040] With respect to the descriptions set forth above, optimumdimensional relationship for the parts of the invention (to includevariations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner ofoperation, assembly and use) are deemed readily apparent and obvious tothose skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed herein. The foregoing is considered asillustrative only of the principles of the invention. Since numerousmodifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in theart, it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact constructionand operation shown and described, and all suitable modifications andequivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims are deemedwithin the present inventive concept.

What is claimed is:
 1. A unitary backpack frame convertible to a mattress supporting cot frame with a tent supporting structure comprising: telescoping tubular frame members which require less space in the compact position and providing larger dimensions in the extended position.
 2. The backpack frame as claimed in claim 1 that has fewer parts, making it is easier to use and simpler to manufacture.
 3. The backpack frame as claimed in claim 1 having a means to adjust cot tautness.
 4. The backpack frame as claimed in claim 1 having a vertically extendible tent support. 